Thursday, May 31, 2012

Detroit Red Wings Captain Nicklas Lidstrom will be announcing his retirement in little over an hour. Lidstrom had one of the great careers not of just a defenseman but of a player period. Described on HBO as "the perfect human" Lidstrom along with his other accolades became the first European born player to win the Conn Smythe Trophy and the first European captain to be handed the Stanley Cup in 2008.

Now, some will say that Bobby Orr is the best defenseman ever. And until today's announcement they would be right (Some Boston fans are even trying to claim Ray Bourque was better than Lidstrom and to them I say put down the crack pipe). Johnny will say what so many seem to be afraid to; Nicklas Lidstrom is the best defenseman to ever play in the NHL.

Orr supporters will say he changed the game. That's right, he did but as you see above where Lidstrom is the first Euro to win the Conn Smythe AND captain a team to the title is also every bit as groundbreaking. Lidstrom's longevity is another reason he's better than Orr. Didn't take the penalties Orr took and stayed healthier. Orr won 8 Norris Trophies but Lidstrom had only one less with 7 AND he out Stanley Cupped Orr 4 to 2. You can parse other numbers as well but in the end Nicklas Lidstrom in our eyes (and we fell this will be the opinion prevailing over time say 10 years on) Lidstrom was better.

Farewell St. Nick, you have been a stalwart, a great player, a wonderful leader and captain and yes the perfect human.

The Devils may wish they had started faster tonight in losing 2-1 in overtime to the Kings. Once the Devils shook off the pixie dust from the Rangers series slowing them down they carried play for the third period. If New Jersey does wake up in the first period we're gonna have one firecracker of a long series. We'll have a better read on this series after game 2.

Newark looked good on teevee tonight and outside the Rock for the pre-game shows. It was happening.

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Scott Stringer, Manhattan Borough president wrote to the Star-Ledger and said we here in New Jersey are simply not paying our full load of commuter taxes. Stringer proposed that we start by following his plan to get us to pay our share for MTA:

That’s why I’ve proposed a broad-based plan to repair our regional transportation network — a plan that, yes, includes restoration of a commuter tax that New Jersey residents, who worked in New York City, paid for 30 years prior to 1999.

Back then, the commuter tax flowed into the city’s general fund. But under my plan, the revenue would be dedicated to the MTA, the central nervous system of our regional transit network and a system that some 7 million riders — many of them Jerseyans — rely on every day to get around New York City.

Isn't this precious? WE should pay more and put that money into the MTA, Johnny will say that again, the MTA coffers with zero mention of PATH getting any of that. In fact, if you read Stringer's entire letter, you'll see very little on PATH getting much of this pie at all. Does the #7 MTA train pull into Weehawken yet? No? Then Scott, go shake Governor Christie's tree and get that new tunnel done so we can talk about Garden Staters paying for MTA improvements by some way other than paying fares. Our governor loves surprises, by all means try and bring it up at a presser. Be insistent and be ready to talk over him.

Is New Jersey now supposed to impose a tax on the 119,000 New Yorkers who come to New Jersey to work everyday for OUR infrastructure? Well? Know where a tax like that might come in handy for New Jersey? New toll booths from NYC towards the New Meadowlands that run only on Jets and Giants gamedays.

PATH is supported already by BOTH New Jersey and New York. It does not have the financial challenges that MTA has. Port Authority Trans Hudson. It gets both NJ and NY as well as Federali dollars. PATH is better run and now you want to pick PATH riders pockets whether or not they even get on an MTA subway when they get off at say 14th St?

Scott, go ahead and introduce your legislation. We hope it gets you the attention you're seeking so you can one day run for higher office. We over here have very little faith your plan will be adopted.

The 2012 Stanley Cup playoff culminate with the Final which begins tonight at 8 pm at the Prudential Center in Newark. The Devils will face-off with the Los Angeles Kings.

The teams took far different routes to arrive at this point. The Kings knocked off the #1, 2 and 3 seeds out west while the Devils defeated the #3, 5 and 1 seeds. The Kings sport a playoff record of 12-2 while the Devils arrive here with a 12-7 record. A lot of hockey writers and prognosticators look at the Kings haughty 12-2 mark thus far and think they are a shoo-in. In fact on the ESPN poll on this series ONLY The state of New Jersey thought the Devils would win. Every other state picked L.A.

Johnny remembers when Sidney Crosby and the Penguins showed up at Joe Louis Arena for game 1 of the 2008 Final after blasting through the Eastern Conference with a 12-2 mark. The Wings were 35 seconds away from dispatching the Pens in five games that year, instead closing them out in six. 12-2 means nothing.

Goaltending? That does matter and right now Mr. Quick with L.A. would have to get that checkbox next to his name. Nothing wrong with the way Brodeur is playing and maybe that's the key. He doesn't have to stand on his head to be successful but he can.

The Kings have big forwards, tree sized forwards on some lines. The Devils defense will have to manage that but this IS the Final and there is not another series to save yourself for. The Kings love that go-go forecheck game the same as New Jersey does. The Kings might be a little faster at it but it only matters whom can execute that forecheck better. We're going to call this even.

The Devils powerplay has a whole new aspect to worry about, shorthanded goals. The Kings have five of them this playoff run. They gutted Vancouver with shorthanded goals. Not only are the Devils going to have to get offense out of their powerplay but some defense as well.

We could go on and on and on about his matchup or that. There are several leading hockey websites who can do that with cool pictures and graphics and everything. If you want the bells and whistles head on out as Johnny will merely make a prediction using words.

The Devils are the underdogs according to the media and online fan polls but are they REALLY? Ask an expert like Johnny and you might get a different answer that they might give. Does Johnny want the Devils to win? Remember he's a Wings fan and this would give the Devils four cups along with Detroit in the very modern era. No plusses in picking the Devils for that. Does he think the Devils will win? Well friend he thinks it is a tossup. But he will lay this prediction on you:

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Manhattanhenge, the alignment of the setting sun on certain streets in Manhattan begins tonight (weather permitting) according to Hayden Planetarium boss man Neil deGrasse Tyson who, besides hating Pluto (we kid because we love), has created a handy webpage so you the scientific noob can experience this wonderously cool event:

For Manhattan, a place where evening matters more than morning, that special day comes twice a year. For 2012 they fall on May 29th, and July 12th, when the setting Sun aligns precisely with the Manhattan street grid, creating a radiant glow of light across Manhattan's brick and steel canyons, simultaneously illuminating both the north and south sides of every cross street of the borough's grid. A rare and beautiful sight.

Head over to the Planetarium website for more on this cool and free event. You just bring the camera.

NO WAY! Really, you mean the traffic ticket revenue generators going up around town have zero to do with safety and everything to do with making a profit for a private company on the backs of Jersey City drivers? Ya don't say.

Look people, Johnny warned about this. Almost half the revenue generated from these ticket cameras goes right to the company. It is not about safety. Ask yourself:

Do these ticket cameras beep or flash to warn drivers of an impending illegal or unsafe action? No, they do nothing like that, they simply take your picture and issue you a ticket regardless.

Do you have a guarantee the machines work right and you won't be issued bogus tickets? Are you sure? Ask the drivers outside the Prudential Center in Essex County who use these cameras. Dozens of Devils fans were ticketed by the machines after a game even though they were being waved through the intersection by an actual policeman who was visible in the ticket pictures.

Where are all these statistics that supposedly prove these intersections are made safer? Surprise! There isn't any. If you tell a lie long enough it becomes the truth. There are no peer reviewed studies. American Traffic Solutions, Inc., who eats the gravy these cameras provide, doesn't lead with these studies now do they. Why is that? In fact they released an accident caught on camera at an intersection to prove it needed the cameras already there. What huh? Your cameras were already there but there was still an accident which proves the need for the cameras there? Wow, Stretch Armstrong couldn't bend that much.

Do remember dear readers who brought these cameras to Jersey City to take your money, Mayor Jerramiah Healy and his administration. Time to stand up and be counted people. Are you in favor of more of these cameras being installed? What say you Jersey City City Council? One of you at least is running for Mayor currently, Mr. Fulop, what are your thoughts on these revenue generators?

Johnny is all for civil disobedience when it comes to these ridiculous Trojan Horses and has been reading about how other civic minded individuals are fighting back against these cameras and actually how many city governments, once they realize what actually happens when the cameras are installed, try fighting back against their deal with the devil. Wanna know how far (and illegally) some of the camera companies will go to refuse YOU access to ballot initiatives to run their sorry butts out of town. Wanna know how quickly these deals with cities turn bad and cost much much more to taxpayers? Tryreadingsomeofthesearticles.

Johnny's a wuss, no way he could do harrowing let alone precise every day like Mr. Gordon:

As 1 World Trade Center steadily climbs above the Manhattan skyline, hopefully becoming the country's tallest building, about 200 crane operators continue their work completing one of the most important architectural feats in recent history.

Among the brave 200 is Tom Gordon, a 45-year old veteran of the sky, who begins his workdays at roughly 3:30 AM in Long Island to commute to Lower Manhattan in order to get the monumental job done one day at a time.

Watch the video, hoo golly that's quite a view.

Being up that high reminds Johnny of an old joke about bad sports seats. "My seats were so bad I turned to the guy next to me and asked him what he thought of the game. He said "What game, I'm flying to Pittsburgh."

It's an all Devil-themed music series tonight and Johnny wanted to start with this haunting epic from Florence and the Machine, Seven Devils. To the Rangers it probably just seemed like seven Devils were on the ice against them.

Adam Henrique scored early in overtime and the Devils dispatched the top seeded New York Rangers tonight 3-2 at the Prudential Center. Just about everything Johnny predicted for this series has come to pass including his call of Devils in 6 games. If you'd like to be creeped out even more on the Jersey Journal web page asking fans to predict headlines for tomorrow morning Johnny posted "Henrique is King! Adam's 2nd OT Goal Sends Devils to Final." Just one overtime off.

That's right kids, when you want hockey analysis you come here, leave the guesswork to the beat writers and teevee talking heads.

The Final begins Wednesday night at the Prudential Center at 8 pm. Ranger fans can tune in on NBC.

Johnny doesn't have to mention game 6 of the 1994 Eastern Conference Final to Devils fans. They live with that ache every game. Johnny doesn't have to mention it to Rangers fans because they never shut up about it. Tonight is a chance for the Devils franchise and fans to cut that pain in half.

As Johnny said going into this series this is not the Messier/Leetch vs Brodeur/Stevens series, it's a new generation of Callahan and Lundqvist vs. Parise and Kovalchuk. The torch has been passed. To the players tonight means so very very much, to Devils fans it matters more. They have lived with the guarantee for many moons. Players move on to play elsewhere or move away when they retire. Fans stay local or loyal to the Devils. Don't say there is no equivalence, oh there sure is. The mighty Rangers in the swamps of Jersey looking to stay alive and an entire blue fanbase ready to bang their heads into walls.

John Tortorella said after the Devils won game five he felt the Rangers finally found their game. They really knew what they were doing. They got it together. He felt they would carry the effort forward.

That's one way to look at it. Here's another. The Rangers, after they got behind 3-0 had to come up with a haymaker. The Rangers are a proud team. They responded. But how much effort did an already tired team expend to come back and tie but ultimately lose expend? Maybe that was the Rangers best shot.

In the history of people saying the first goal is important tonight underscores that by a hundred. If the Devils get out first, and start the effective game that has frustrated the Rangers all good things are possible. Don't give the Rangers a sniff. Keep dumping the puck into Del Zotto's corner and spin the wheel and see what creative play Del Zotto comes up with to turn the puck over. Go ahead by two goals tonight and Charon starts readying the boat, and Devils fans start up a collection of obolus' to pay Charon, for the Rangers crossing to watching the Final on television.

Call it what you will, reclaiming honor, getting a monkey off your backs, payback, it has been called many things, and the New Jersey Devils have a chance at it tonight in their building in front of mostly their fans on their terms. On national television they have a chance to defend their keep and strike at fatal blow to their greatest enemy.

As Tyrion Lannister says on this upcoming week's Game of Thrones; "There are brave men knocking at our door, let's go kill them!!" (and don't get bunged up about a quote using the word kill, free the metaphors!)

As Johnny discussed in the story below, Mayor Bloomberg's office is saying he will now not be using the East 34th St. heliport when it is closed on the weekends. We're not gonna drone on and on about this, we had our say, but you simply must read the Gothamist's take on the very sentence Johnny had questioned as to whether is was actual English or jibberish (And if you've spent any time at all reading this website you know Johnny knows jibberish). Get their take on the quote "I'm just trying like everyone else," you'll be glad you did.

Johnny met a really great cabbie tonight. You can go years and not have any kind of meaningful contact with a driver. The driver, Sanjay, explained his idea of what anger is (He was a very centered, laid back, and patient guy he said). Anger he said was punishment of yourself for someone else's stupid/inconsiderate act. And why he added, would you ever want to punish yourself for something someone else does?

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Normally when you see a local politician's name in the paper and the FBI not far behind it means dirty money has been changing hands. Not in this case, no, this sounds far more intriguing.

Dr. Roque and his son Joseph were arrested for hacking into a website that was helping coordinate a recall election against him. the website "Recallroque.com" was only up and running for five days before the servers puked. Well, now we know why:

In February, Joseph Roque was able to access the e-mail account of one of the recall organizers and used that to hack into Go Daddy, the internet service provider that was hosting the website RecallRoque.com. Prosecutors say he then cancelled the account without authorization, taking it down.

...he had the connections to take down the recall website by “highly placed government officials and that everyone would pay for getting involved against Mayor Roque.”

“A friend of mine. he works in the—I can’t tell you — three letters — CIA. You know. That's how I get information. So what I’m doing is not very kosher.”

But wait, there's MORE from Dr. Felix Roque's dreamworld where he alone is king:

*After learning that another individual contributed more damaging information to the RecallRoque.com website, the mayor e-mailed him and threatened to refer him to the IRS for a tax audit.

*Later in the month, Roque sent a text message to his son asking him to look at the Facebook page of another individual tied to the opposition against him to “let me know what we can do.

We'll give anyone their day in court (and Dr. Felix Roque is about to have a few of them it would seem) but this is just heinous. Does Dr. Roque think winning a recall election makes him some kind of tin horn dictator? Does he think he's simply allowed to behave like this?

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

And by treat Johnny means AC Milan, he detests the Madridistas. But if you are a soccer fan and want to see top flight soccer the game is August 8th. There will be stars-a-plenty on the pitch for you to enjoy. You can also watch to see if Real Madrid's manager Jose Mourinho will stick his finger in the opposing coach's eye as he has done against Barcelona.

Here's a wonderful case and point of how NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg views residents, as peasants. Cerf Bloomberg will pass laws saying you can't smoke in Central Park for the good of all. Cerf Bloombeg thinks his thousands of invasive stop and frisks are good for you for the good of all. But what about statutes that are in place that affect Michael Bloomberg? Well, you can probably guess what happens here, he doesn't give a SH!T about anyone but himself.

Mayor Mike is a pilot, he flies his helicopter around quite a bit it seems and docks it at the 34th St. heliport. He flies it in at all hours, weeknight weekend you name it. Sometime just carrying his girlfriend and her dogs around. But you see, here's the rub, the heliport has been closed weeknights and weekends by the NY City Council for a decade because of the noise and acrid fumes from the helicopters that was bothering residents. You know, taxpayers, locals, voters. A resident nearby the 34th St. helipad has been filming Mayor Mike (No doubt he'll be getting a visit from Ray Ray's Storm Troopers soon enough for having the audacity of filming wrongdoing by the 1%) coming in several times a day when the helipad is CLOSED. Again, Bloomberg being a pilot you'd think he'd KNOW and or RESPECT the rule.

Nope, not Mike, he's "Just trying like everyone else." Whaaaaaaa? You were confronted on the news and this is part of your reply? Are you educated? What does that mean?

A recent poll that said 36% of Americans say God has personally spoken to them. Johnny thinks that's waaaaay too high (being an atheist and all), and most likely God simply butt-dialed those people and they're embellishing.

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Jersey City will kick off the Memorial Day weekend tomorrow, Wednesday May 23 at 9 am, with a memorial service at the foot of Washington St. at the Korean War memorial.

Other events in Hudson County can be found here. It'll be a wonderful weekend around town so make sure you get out to a parade or Memorial Day service or simply take time in your own way to thank our Vets and those still serving our nation for all they do.

The series is tied 2-2 after a convincing and one could say dominant effort by the Devils tonight at the Prudential Center winning 4-1. OK, the series is tied two games apiece. It's now a best of three series. If you ask yourself honestly which team has had the better run of play and who has been the better team, thus far you'd have to say the Devils. Game 5 is huge. If the Devils can keep imposing their will and keep the Rangers defending for 75% of the game they can win game 5 and the series. The Rangers looked tired at moments tonight. They did. And just what was John "The Circus is in Town" Tortorella trying to do? It was he who sent the players out who started the mess. Johnny thinks Tortorella sees the cracks in the Rangers and knows damn well if this keeps up the Devils are going to win the series. He's trying to clown it up to keep the attention off of his team underachieving and on him to lessen the pressure on the players. Either way, who was Tortorella going to fight tonight, DeBoer? Hell Pierre McGuire between the benches for NBC could kick his ass. Johnny sure knows Marc Crawford working between the benches for CBC could.

Game 5 Wednesday from the World's Most Famous Arena with penalty box doors that don't work.

Monday, May 21, 2012

And how you'd smirk and laugh that "Hah, that's such a stupid idea nobody would ever do that. I mean how long would you even be in the air for?"

Answer: 10 minutes.

Yes, people did.

You can track the excitement here as some Rangers fans actually flew (and the Rangers sponsored this BTW, they are culpable in this idiocy, it was their CONTEST) from LaGuardia to Newark to see the game Saturday at the Prudential Center. An Airbus A319 flew people at 3000 feet those ten anguishing minutes. You can get the rest of this story here from the New York Times.

Since we've tipped past midnight and that makes it May 21st it was 20 years ago today that Amy Fisher was arrested for the attempted murder Mary Jo Buttafuoco in Massapequa. What a long sordid tale this became with two of the three principles going to jail.

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Yeah, that caught you off guard perhaps. Yes it would seem the Atlantic Ocean is kicking up her heels a touch early this year and an early season tropical storm, Alberto VO5 is skipping up the east coast from South Carolina where it formed (and where you amy send any repair bills) and should be off of the Jersey shore Wednesday into Thursday. An early tracker from Wunderground:

WednesdayOvercast with a chance of a thunderstorm and rain. High of 73F. Winds from the NE at 5 to 10 mph shifting to the SSE in the afternoon. Chance of rain 60% with rainfall amounts near 0.3 in. possible. Tropical Storm Alberto: Estimated distance to storm center 322 mi. Max sustained winds 39 mph with stronger gusts possible.Wednesday NightOvercast. Fog overnight. Low of 57F. Winds from the SE at 5 to 10 mph shifting to the ENE after midnight. Tropical Storm Alberto: Estimated distance to storm center 322 mi. Max sustained winds 39 mph with stronger gusts possible.ThursdayOvercast with a chance of a thunderstorm and rain in the afternoon. Fog early. High of 72F. Winds from the ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 20%. Tropical Storm Alberto: Estimated distance to storm center 317 mi. Max sustained winds 39 mph with stronger gusts possible.

You might want to tie down what needs to be tied down in the back yard now like small grills, lawn chairs, kids toys, grandparents, and other items that could get caught in a breeze and wind up two yards away.

It sure looks as though the team that scores first will win most of the games in this series. The Rangers scored first again in the third period and the Devils were suddenly forced to play New York's style. Monday night will now be a must win for the Devils. Here are a few pictures from today's tilt.

And Johnny's gotta post this and get himself ready to shuffle off to Newark himself for the big game (No press passes here).

This is the game you worry about Devils fans. This one. Often times in the playoffs a team coming home could and should get a giant boost from playing at home yet come out sloppy or worse, flat. This game poses such a threat. Johnny doesn't think this threat of losing will come from the Devils coming out flat but rather the Rangers will come out inspired and proud AND having had one extra days rest. The Rangers know they need to take advantage of any way to rest their bodies after two tough seven game series'.

The Rangers are going to come out with a push, the Devils and their 17,000+ friends must be ready to push right back. If the Devils can keep playing the way they are with speed and aggressive forechecking and can win today, all great things are possible. Lose today and you're playing for your life in game 4. The Devils in a word today must be relentless.

Touring in support of her first album in ten years Kelly Hogan will perform along with other fantastic singers such at Mary Chapin Carpenter and Tift Merritt tomorrow night at the City Winery as part of the John Wesley Harding's Cabinet of Wonders show. It is so very nice to hear Kelly Hogan bust out some new takes on some solid songs. Hers is a voice that simply takes Johnny to a place in his mind, an intimate bar/club with a singer with a voice too great for the room and an obvious love and appreciation of music history. She's just aces. Her new album breaks on June 5th and is entitled 'I Like To Keep Myself In Pain' on the Anti- label (The same people who work with that nice red-headed gal).

Atlanta's by birth, Chicago's by choice here is Kelly Hogan with a song off of the new album 'Plant White Roses'

Friday, May 18, 2012

Not to be missed around these parts, Fleet Week with the Parade of Tall Ships floats off (stepping off might be risky) next Wednesday at 8:10 am from the Verrazano Narrows bridge and heads up the Hudson River north of the George Washington Bridge.

The Parade of Sail and The Military Parade of Ships which again starts just after 8 am is followed at 10 am by the The Military Parade of Ships. Both will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of Francis Scott Key penning 'The Star Spangled Banner'.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Sad news today about Donna Summer. Johnny was never much for Disco music but her voice over those rich techno beats was more often than not wonderful music. Tonight we have the original 17 minute Giorgio Moroder produced version of Donna Summer singing 'Love to Love You Baby'

It is rather audacious of the NYPD to argue that if it were possible to protect "the right of people to be secure in their persons" from unlawful searches and seizures by the NYPD, then the legislature would already have done so and judicial intervention would therefore be futile. Indeed, it is precisely when the political branches violate the individual rights of minorities that "more searching judicial enquiry" is appropriate.

So the class action suit moves forward, a stinging rebuke to police commissioner Ray Kelly and NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg who seemed, well, testy after being asked about it while hanging out with Mr. Met:

As of today, we're 135 days into the year, I think we've had 135 murders. If it were to stay at this rate, we'd have 50% less than when we came into office—I can't conceive of it staying at this rate though. We continue to do everything we can that's legal to keep this city safe so you can walk in any neighborhood in this city, and not have to worry about getting shot or a bullet coming through your door...

Uh, Mayor, you have zero proof these guns you took off the streets saved ANY lives. Trying to equate a gun off the street with keeping a murder from happening isn't reality, it's a Tom Cruise movie. Your specious reasoning really drags the topic into the gutter.

In 2002, when Mr. Kelly last took office, officers stopped 97,296 New Yorkers and the city reported 587 homicides. Last year, those numbers were 685,724 and 532.

What huh? Mayor would you like to go over your ridiculous statements on 'Stop and Frisk' again? The judge allowed class action status because you and your BFF Ray Kelly are trampling people's constitutional rights in holding these bogus stop and frisks. You're really only stopping people of color with a full 87% of these stops made on against minorities.

Ya know who gets caught the most at the stop and frisks with weapons? White people, and yet 87% are persons of color stops. Huh? Mayor, do you have anything to say on this matter? Of course you don't but let's dig deeper into the numbers on stop and frisk:

A delivery driver on Newark Ave this morning near Grove St. was trying (trying is being generous) to back his truck into a spot. In doing so his right back fender started crushing up and busting a bicycle chained a sign post for safe keeping. It was not a quiet accident. Johnny waved to the driver to let him see what he had just done. He seemed non-plussed and anxious to get away. Johnny mentioned he'd seen him do it and the responsible thing would be to call the police and fill out a report or see if the biker was nearby. The driver chose C) -- Take off.

So owner of now crushed bike, if you'd like a witness and want to file some kind of small claims against the driver (Did we mention we have the company name from the delivery truck?) you let Johnny know, Johnnyactionspacepunkatgmaildotcom.

Pic 1 -- Destroyed bike from rear step up
Pic 2 -- Driver looks at damage he caused
Pic 3 -- Company name should make it easy to find the driver

Three women die together in an accident and go to Heaven. When they get there, St Peter says, "We only have one rule here in Heaven: don't step on the ducks."

They enter Heaven, and sure enough, there are ducks all over the place. It is almost impossible not to step on a duck, and although they try their best to avoid them, the first woman accidentally steps on one.

Along comes St Peter with the ugliest man she ever saw. St Peter chains them together and says, "Your punishment for stepping on a duck is to spend eternity chained to this ugly man."

The next day, the second woman steps accidentally on a duck, and along comes St Peter, who doesn't miss a thing, and with him is another extremely ugly man. He chains them together with the same admonishment as for the first woman.

The third woman has observed all this and not wanting to be chained for all eternity to an ugly man, is very, VERY careful where she steps. She manages to go months without stepping on any ducks, but one day St Peter comes up to her with the most handsome man she has ever laid eyes on. He is tall, tanned, slim and muscular.

St Peter chains them together without saying a word.

The woman, thinking that this is great, remarks, "I wonder what I did to deserve being chained to you for all of eternity."

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A head snapping reggae version of Adele's 'Set Fire to the Rain'. Know who did the remake? Just a guy. Not a big name DJ or record company re-release. Just a guy with a passion, and some real skills, an artist named Reggaesta85, for whom we are indebted for this.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Sure the Rangers have won 4 of the 5 playoff series between the two clubs. This, however, is a different era of Devils and Rangers team from the ones who have played before. Yes guys like Brodeur and Elias and Sykora were around for the wars but this is the Parise/Kovalchuk vs. Callahan and Lundqvist era.

Johnny is on record saying the Devils will win in six games. Here's how he arrived at that number. The only thing saving the Rangers thus far is how tight they pack their defense around Lundqvist and block shots. The question will then become can the Devils get shots to the net that simply aren't perimeter shots and shots from along the wall. In the last series, Alex Ovechkin, who can move his feet and create shots got quite a few through to Lundqvist. With Parise, Zajac, Kovalchuk and to a lesser extent Adam Henrique can all work free and create good shots. By no means will the Devils offense look as sharp and tic-tac-toe as the Philly series but they have more than enough offense.

If the Rangers can't forecheck their offense can go missing for loooong stretches. The Devils defense has been unheralded all playoffs long for their abilty to clear the zone with no drama. Having a netminder with immaculate puckhandling skills has helped them. The Fyers tried three ways from Sunday to keep the puck in corners on shoot-ins and away from Brodeur but still the Devils defense were up to the task. Which brings us to the point of WHY this series will be won by New Jersey. No team that has played game 7s in the first two rounds has won the Stanley Cup. The Rangers defense are dog tired. Their top three defensemen Marc Staal, Dan Girardi and Ryan McDonagh all have averaged over 25 minutes a game. They have played more playoff hockey than anyone else. Hard minutes. Crash bang minutes. The Devils have been hanging their hats on hard forechecking, bottling up the opposing team in center ice and letting their speed dictate play. This can and will wear the Rangers defense out slowly but surely. The Rangers defense are good, but they are also human.

One advantage Johnny sees right now for the Blueshirts is scoring from the defense. The Devils will have to stay out of the box (or in this series take someone with them) and the forwards MUST KNOW when guys like Del Zotto are jumping into the play. One goal in these games can make the difference, lose your guy for a second and it could be disastrous.

Netminding, the Living Legend vs The King. Marty Brodeur has had a very quiet yet very solid playoffs. His 2.05 GAA isn't Lundqvist's 1.68 but it's in the ballpark. It's within a one shot total. Right now Johnny would have to concede that yeah, if given the choice he'd take Lundqvist but that's it. It doesn't mean Brodeur can't or won't win the series, he most likely will. As mentioned above Brodeur for his age gives the Devils something Lundqvist can't help on shoot ins and play the role of a third defenseman with the puck. Both have their plusses, but it would stand to reason the longer this series goes the less help Lundqvist will be getting from his defense corp as they chase the Devils around with their speed advantage.

Speed, frontline offense, aggressive forechecking and an underrated defense are going to lead the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in SIX games.

Tonight the Rags may well start out like a house afire, they just got done with another emotional series and it may give them some bounce in the first period. This in fact is a game the Rangers may in fact win. The Devils have been off a few days and the old rule of thumb around hockey is one day away from the rink the players notice, two days away the coaches notice sand three days away the fans notice. In whipping Philadelphia in five games the Devils haven't been playing for their lives. Johnny is confident however the Rangers surge will hit a wall. the Rangers as a team will then slowly hit the wall and in a week and a half the Devils Army can go loot Madison Square Garden for scrap.

"The repose of sleep refreshes only the body. It rarely sets the soul at rest. The repose of the night does not belong to us. It is not the possession of our being. Sleep opens within us an inn for phantoms. In the morning we must sweep out the shadows."--Gaston Bachelard

Saturday, May 12, 2012

This is so choice it's got a Red Wings fan excited. The PATH series, the Battle of the Hudson begins Monday night at Madison Square Garden. Game 2 will be Wednesday night at MSG. The game day of game 3 hasn't been announced yet but the Prudential Center said they are sold out for all games in the series. No luck, they got none. Same thing at MSG.

When last we left the Devils and Rangers it was March 19 at MSG and the game had a firecracker of a start, after almost the same thing happened earlier at The Rock.

We will have more, much more on this series in the days ahead but Johnny ain't afraid of no nothing, so here's the call now: Devils in SIX games.

Had a wonderful time tonight at the Broadway play 'The Columnist' starring John Lithgow who gave a magnificent portrayal as pro-Vietnam War columnist Joseph Alsop who is both completely self assured and yet horribly insecure over matters from his past (We'll leave it at matters you can see the play for the real story). Grace Gummer was sharp as Alsop's step-daughter Abigail and Johnny was absolutely blown away by how much she looks like her famous mother. Look she's good in her own right but like mother like daughter applies here...

Hussy, slut, homewrecker, floozy, skank and or trollip is what we think Dion is really calling Runaround Sue in this song. Just our best guess. The lesson of this song? Don't be slunk meat. But do snap your fingers while you sing along.

Friday, May 11, 2012

And since it's a Friday and all and everybody is ready to think about the weekend and not work, Johnny thought he'd throw out the question if you know of any haunted places around town or live in or have lived in a home with a spirit or two. Johnny has so feel free to share in comments.

So let's have a Super Happy Fun Day inside. We'll start with a clip from last night's Florence and the Machine show at Radio City. As mentioned last night just an amazing treat of a show. Very high energy. Here's the last little while of 'Dog Days Are Over' just before the encores.

Phenomenal show at Radio City tonight by Florence and the Machine. A real treat as far as concerts go. Everything was just pitch perfect and sent everyone home lost in their own favorite song. Johnny heard several people singing several different songs on the way out.

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Brad Richards scored with 6.6 seconds to play to tie it and the Rangers won it a minute and a half into overtime and now lead their best of seven series 3 games to 2. Johnny leaned over to Mrs. Johnny when Washington's Joel Ward took a stupid yet possibly innocuous high sticking penalty, a four minute penalty, late in regulation and said here it comes - if the Rangers score they'll keep the powerplay in overtime. Exactly what happened. Marc Staal scored for the Blueshirts a minute and a half into overtime and presto the Rangers are out of jail and looking like they are headed for a conference final matchup with the Devils.

We think such a matchup for at shot at such a wonderful prize would be just what we need around here.

Monday, May 7, 2012

Ward E Councilman Steve Fulop and Councilman at large Rolando Lavarro are looking to raise the pay of low-wage workers to well above the minimum wage. In their plan Fulop and Lavarro say that city contractors and businesses who receive city subsidies would have to pay 200 percent of federal minimum wage, or roughly $14.50 an hour or slightly less than new hires at auto plants would be taking in. It is not all THAT burdensome to the contractors. Oh they'll claim poor but these are the same companies that get mega-million dollar deals to develop OUR city and OUR land. You know, OUR city where we set the rules and where our city decides we'd like our friends and neighbors a chance to climb into the middle class or start or continue some kind of nest egg.

Now, Mayor Healy wouldn't really come out and say he's for it or against it, instead he used the opportunity given to him to once again take a swipe at Steve Fulop:

“Knowing that Steve Fulop does little to nothing without a political motivation, my initial reaction is that this is his response to the criticism he took at last week’s council meeting regarding his plan that could have cut jobs from workers at the JCIA, particularly the Second Chance program.”

Mayor, grow up. What kind of response is that to Jersey City residents taking home more pay? Instead of looking over and through Jersey City residents and voters to get at Steve Fulop why not tell us if you are for this plan or against it. Far from creating "impediments" to business how about thinking about US for once? Mayor, are you really hinting that if the wages go up on these jobs, developers like the asshats at Toll Brothers will stop buying and developing properties they stand to make hundreds of millions on? WRONG. These developers still be good little piggies eating at the trough of tax breaks and some will wonder if Solomon Dwek still works for the city and how they might contact him. It's just how they roll.

Here's a nickel's worth of free advice. Mayor, you have an election a year from now. Now might just be a good time to try and reconnect with voters and not the big wheels. You might want to let them know you back them on wage increases and other kitchen table issues you've been MIA on.

Snooki and JWOWW have moved on, it's time you start thinking about your non-tanned flock.

The SS Flyer is taking on water. They don't know which way the Devils are coming at them next. It's like trying to swat 5000 bees buzzing around you. The Devils are faster, they're working harder, and honestly, they're better. Case and point the winning goal tonight, hard work pays off and the Flyers simply look lost. The Devils can put Philadelphia out of their misery Tuesday night in Philly in game 5.

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Famed and colorful CBC analyst Don Cherry is on record saying game 4 is the key to a series. If you're up 2-1 you can grab a stranglehold. If you're down you can claw back and level it at 2-2 and settle in for a long series. Such a game presents itself tonight at the Prudential Center.

The Devils are going to have to weather the Flyers best effort. If they don't see it from the Flyers then they have already most likely won this series. The Flyers have the offense and the confidence they can fight back. The funny thing about confidence in the playoffs is once it begins to get nicked even a little it can slide away fast. Call the Blues when their plane lands back in St. Louis in a few hours. The Flyers are at that point. They're not as mentally tough as the Devils and they have a couple human retaliatory penalties looking for a place to happen. This is the game that famed steely resolve of Devils teams past must manifest itself current day. Grind hard for 60. Turn the other cheek. Make the first hit. Play in the corners like you brought the puck.

And the birthday boy has to come up huge. Marty can't win tonight. If he wins it's happy birthday to an elder NHL statesman on a big win and the Devils played well and if he loses, oh boy, a 40th birthday will never have more over the hill comments made about it. Again, just outplay the guy at the other end. You know, if you and a friend are running on the African plains and you're being chased by a hyena, you don't have to be faster than the hyena, just faster than your friend.

Philadelphia's continued willingness to give up the middle of the ice and allowing the Devils to carry the puck across the Philly blueline because they fear the Devils speed to the outside is working well for New Jersey. They can skate it in and set up or get to center and make good dump ins to get their quite effective cycle game going. Hopefully David Clarkson can pop a couple goals tonight, introduce a Flyer or two to the smell of his gloves and give the Flyers even more to worry about.

Johnny's not making a prediction, everytime he does the Devils lose. So he'll just leave it at this; play 60, play aggressive, play smart and play fast. The Flyers have a glass jaw, hopefully the Devils can find it tonight.

Luftschiff Zeppelin No. 129 was the official company name for the Hindenburg, something forgotten by many over time no doubt. But of course everyone knows the flaming image when the word Hindenburg is used. It is a powerful name sometimes even used to describe similar catastrophes.

We get questions in the Jersey City Desk mailbag about dating tips. What better way to help out those in need of help with the opposite sex than a 1950 Coronet Film on the topic.
Wagon Train at the movies?! Damn Mr Bigtime. Kate sure fondles that phone doesn't she?
Time for Jersey City, After Dark

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Unable to get a tying goal late the Rangers lost 3-2 in regulation to the Washington Capitals and head back to MSG for game 5 tied at 2-2.
Johnny would hazard a guess that right now Devils fans and Rangers fans are seeing their teams differently. More on the Devils all important game 4 tomorrow.

Some IDIOT thinks rules don't apply to them, it's THEIR morning coffee and hey, they have never spilled one yet. Well selfish jackass this is exactly why you're not allowed to bring drinks on the trains.

Johnny received a poor grade on a Lit test in school because apparently the phrase "Hey la, my boyfriend's back" doesn't appear in the actual Shakespeare version of Romeo and Juliet. So thank YOU Mark Knopfler. You wrote a beautiful and moving song but more than likely kept Johnny out of an Ivy League school.

Now here's a real oldie and if a commenter is to be believed a rarity as well. This song was recorded September 2, 1927. You may well be amazed at how good a recording from back then can sound.

Yes, the commenter. A poster made this point about his version of the song:Sophie recorded this for﻿ Okeh records which was a subsidiary of Columbia, but Okeh chose not to release it because they did not want to compete with with a recording of the same song she did with the Ted Lewis Band a year earlier. Thus it was not heard for about 30 years when Columbia released it on an LP album "Sound of the Twenties"

We have no reason to believe this genre fan to be wrong in which case how lucky we are it was preserved those 30 years. Sophie Tucker with 'Some of These Days'

Friday, May 4, 2012

Adam Yauch, MCA of the Beastie Boys sadly lost his fight to cancer today at age 47. Yauch first announced the cancer in having to cancel their appearance at the All Points West concert at Liberty State Park in late July of 2009.

The Beastie Boys are legends proving the three white Jewish kids from Brooklyn could not only succeed but become industry giants in an African-American dominated sound. With their albums like License to Ill they broke down color barriers in the hip-hop world. It is now easy to see the route paved by the Beasties for rappers such as Eminem.

Here are the Beastie Boys with Johnny's favorite song, 'Intergalactic'

In fact it is true, Republican Governor Chris Christie and Democratic Senator Robert Menendez and Jersey City Democratic Mayor Jerramiah Healy, along with the LeFrak family helped open the new Newport Green "Urban Beach" here in Jersey City, a 4 acre park at Newport overlooking the Hudson River.

The park idea was begun under Governor Tom Kean way back when and will include a huge play park for kids and nice open grassy areas with a tip top view along with a wonderful sand area which puts the B in beach. Please, for the good of mankind however, use the wading pools and sprinklers at Newport Green if you're hot, please don't get an urge to cool off in the Hudson River.

Said Governor Christie “This is a perfect example of what can be done when visionary members of the private sector work with the public sector who believe government can have a role.”

And Johnny has you covered. Sadly the phone battery only lasts so long and although Alexi Ponikarovsky scored not 15 feet from Johnny you'll just have to enjoy the incomparable Bob Cole on CBC with the call of the winner.

The Jersey Journal called Kendrick Floyd a "buzzard." After witnessing a car accident on Bayview Avenue here in Jersey City, Floyd decided he'd jump into the situation. Instead of rendering any kind of help or aid Floyd simply went into the vehicle and took the accident victim's cell phone and wallet. Yes Jersey City Desk fans, Kendrick Floyd saw the bad accident as an opportunity to steal.

Calling him a "buzzard" is much much too kind. We'd say Floyd is more like a cockroach or a dung beetle.

Luckily, as our story would have it, also assisting in the accident scene was Michael Chess, a 17-year veteran of the Hudson County Corrections Department. When the accident victim asked Chess to grab his wallet and cell phone from the vehicle Chess went looking but was told another man had already grabbed them. Guess who. Again, Chess is a 17 year veteran and he knows bad guys he's had run-ins with before.

Like Kendrick Floyd.

The Jersey Journal picks up the story:That’s when Chess says he jumped up and called Floyd by name. When Floyd stopped, Chess grabbed him and demanded the items back. Chess managed to grab the cellphone, but he said Floyd took off on Ocean Avenue with the wallet, Chess said...Floyd was arrested yesterday afternoon at his Garfield Avenue home and charged with robbery and resisting arrest.

The drivers of the vehicles in the accident were treated by EMT's and released. And got their phones and wallets back.

WOW. Was that an epic game the Rangers played in Washington. 3 overtimes into the night Marian Gaborik scored for the Blueshirts giving them a 2-1 lead in the series. If the Devils win tomorrow night they'd be halfway to a possible date with the Rangers in the conference final. First things first, grind the Flyers bones to make your bread.

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

What a couple nights of the Garden State on display out at The Rock this week. Tonight is Bruce Springsteen and Thursday Johnny and 17,000+ of his closest friends will be back in Newark for the Devils and Flyers game.

But back to tonight. Johnny's friend @The_Word_Nerd mentioned on Facebook a while back that this was her favorite Bruce song. It is a great song indeed, so wherever you are and whatever point you may find this, it's dedicated to you @The_Word_Nerd do enjoy.

And we don't expect to get traffic going on the Manhattan Bridge anytime soon.

It has been blown up too.

Who would do such a thing? Well we have a hunch and we're even going to name names; Bane.

OK, OK, yes the bridges were blown in CGI as part of the new Batman 'The Dark Knight Rises' movie out this summer. Still though, the image is pretty cool. If you'd like to see the whole trailer follow this link.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

The Devils rode a huge four goal third period and a defensive effort that saw the Flyers held to TWO shots on goal in the second period en route to a 4-1 win tonight in Philadelphia. The Eastern Conference Semi-Final is now tied 1-1 with Game 3 on Thursday night at the Prudential Center. Devils rookie Adam Larsson who was making his NHL playoff debut scored, as well as David Clarkson, Travis Zajac and Bryce Salvador.

Johnny will say it right here and now, this a very winnable series for the Devils.

...before you finally just say it is time to post the actual article. Johnny was looking for a play on words about bees this morning, honeybees to be precise. The downtown Hyatt hotel right on the river is now home to a colony of around 36,000 honeybees. Perhaps the bright colored bee painting on the air-conditioning unit on the 5th floor tipped you.

North Caldwell beekeeper Joseph Lelinh set up the bees on the roof whom he said will produce about 100 pounds of honey a year which should "bee" available in the fall.

This would suit Hyatt executive chef Cathy Kearney just fine. She is the reason the plan took off. She wanted to include local honey in her kitchen for such dishes as chipotle and honey-glazed Amish chicken breast and salmon ceviche with creamed honey as well as seasonal drinks like honey lemonade and honey horchata. Kearney said until the rooftop honey is ready she is buying to top flight all natural honey from Lelinh for the Hyatt.

This is a great idea by all those involved. Honeybees are disappearing at an alarming rate in this country. Not only will the Hyatt get honey for their menu, the honeybees are expected to now pollenate plants and flowers in a two-mile radius meaning Liberty State Park as well as Hamilton Park will have many friendly visitors helping keep Jersey City healthy and happy.